when love meets loss…
Summary: auston matthews thought he had time to prepare for this moment — but life had other plans. Now, everything changes with one heartbeat, and he’s left holding the future in his arms…In one moment, life as he knew it slipped through his fingers. in the next, he discovers the weight of love, loss, and everything in between…
warnings: summary: birth complications, death in childbirth, grief & loss, single parenthood, emotional themes of coping after loss
authors note: this is my first fic and there is more to it so let me know if you want it!! i do not like this writing format lol please comment or make an anonymous comment telling me what you want to see and i will 🤍
listen to brave by riley pearce for better effects
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The arena lights blurred through the pain. Auston was in the middle of the third period, skating fast, focusing on the puck but now all he could think about was the call he’d gotten earlier.
His wife… his love… was in the hospital. Complications. sirens. shes okay…shes fine
His heart hammered in his chest as the game ended, and without hesitation, he left the rink, pushing through the crowd, desperate to be by her side.
The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beep of machines. She lay there, pale and fragile, struggling to breathe.
“aus” she whispered, eyes fluttering open, “I’m scared.”
He took her hand gently, voice steady though his mind was racing. “Hey, my love, it’s going to be okay. I’m right here.” auston holding her hand, whispering words of love and hope.
But inside, panic clawed at him.
He had to be strong…for her.
The doctors came in, faces serious, explaining that the baby needed to be delivered immediately or both could be in danger and he had to go
Suddenly, Auston’s mind flooded with memories—
The day he found out she was pregnant. The look on her face, the nervous smile as she said, “We’re going to be parents.” His heart had exploded with joy, and he’d promised her the world.
“im gonna be a daddy” he whispered to her with tears falling down his face “you are baby” she said
The weekends they spent shopping for tiny clothes, the soft blankets, the little booties she insisted on buying.
she’s going to be okay
The night they told their families, the laughter, the happy tears, the way she leaned into him, whispering, “We’re going to be okay.”
A quiet afternoon just weeks ago, where they’d sat on the porch swing, her head on his shoulder, dreaming about the future and their plans.
Now, the future was slipping away.
And then they took her away, and Auston had been left waiting.
she’s okay. she’s going to be okay
A lifetime passed in those few minutes.
Finally, the doors swung open, and a doctor approached, eyes heavy with something Auston didn’t want to understand.
“how is she…my wife. y/n” he looked around the doctor trying to pass him to get to his girl “is she okay?”.
“Mr. Matthews…” the doctor started, voice gentle, practiced, but Auston already felt his stomach drop.
The doctor continued, “We did everything we could… the baby, your daughter—she’s here, she’s healthy… but your wife… y/n didn’t—”
“no.”
It came out fast, sharp, automatic. His hands flew up as if physically stopping the words from reaching him.
“No… no, that’s not… that’s not possible,” Auston’s voice cracked, his chest heaving. “She… she was just talking to me.”
shes fine. shes okay. just take me to her…
The doctor’s expression didn’t change—sympathetic but unwavering. “I’m so sorry—”
“Stop,” Auston’s voice broke, his body shaking. “You… you’re wrong okay you dont know my wife alright you dont know my y/-“ his words cut off at your name shaking his head “just take me to her. she’s strong. She always pulls through. shes okay.”
His vision blurred, his heart pounding like it might explode from his chest.
The world narrowed to ringing ears and the cold, tiled floor under his feet.
“We couldn’t stop the bleeding…” the doctor tried to explain, but Auston wasn’t hearing it.
Tears burned his eyes, his hands gripping his hair. “She… she promised me,” he whispered, voice barely holding together. “We were supposed to do this together.”
“Your daughter is safe,” the doctor added, softer now. “But I’m… I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
Auston stumbled back against the wall, sliding down until he was seated, his body collapsing under the weight of it all.
It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be.
The love of his life… gone.
He buried his face in his hands, sobs wracking his chest as the world continued spinning around him unforgiving, unchanged, while his had just shattered.
Then the moment settled.
His wife didn’t make it.
The person he loved most in the world was gone.
-
The room fell silent but for the sound of his breaking heart.
In the quiet aftermath, the nurses placed a tiny pink bundle in his arms—a beautiful baby girl, perfect despite the pain.
He had a daughter. He was a father.
Auston’s breath caught. Tears spilled freely down his face as he looked at his daughter her tiny fingers curled around his.
Later, a doctor approached, voice gentle but kind.
“What would you like to name her?”
Auston choked on a sob, but the name came easily.
“Leighton. Her mom really liked that name.”
The doctor nodded, eyes full of sympathy. “I’m so sorry for your loss… congratulations on your daughter.”
The doctor didn’t even realize the man standing in front of him—the one he’d just handed this tiny, perfect baby to—had no idea he was holding his daughter for the first time.
The doctor didnt know that she was 2 weeks early. He didnt know that auston stayed up till 4am putting her crib together. He didnt know that austons wife dreamed of being a mom since she was a little girl. He had no idea that auston dreamed of seeing his wife be a mother. He didnt know auston dreamed of being a father til he met y/n. He didnt know any of that…
Auston and y/n had planned to wait, to find out together when their baby arrived—one of the few surprises they allowed themselves in this chaotic, unpredictable life.
But fate, cruel and unforgiving, had stolen that moment from them.
Now, as Auston stared down at the delicate bundle in his arms, the word daughter echoed through the fog of grief for the very first time.
And the one person he was supposed to share it with was gone.
Auston looked down at Leighton y/n Matthews’ delicate little face, his world shattered and remade all at once.
“youre so beautiful” he whispered, voice breaking he looked at his little girl then looked up waiting for an answer “What am I going to do…”
But even in the pain, his heart held on to one thing—his baby girl, his loves legacy, his reason to keep fighting.
